FIRST -- English-Speaking Resident in California - Gilroy, CA
Posted by: 
bluesnote
N 37° 00.032 W 121° 31.352
10S E 631462 N 4095951
A historical marker in front of Pacific Point Christian School in Gilroy.
Waymark Code: WMRHJG
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 06/22/2016
Views: 2
The plaque says, "Rancho San Ysidro
In the early 1800's Rancho San Ysidro was granted to Ygnacio Ortega. After his
death the lands were divided among his three children, Quintin, Maria Isabel
and Maria Clara, who married John Gilroy at Mission San Juan Bautista in 1821.
A short distance west of the ancient sycamore, at the intersection of Pacheco
Pass and Frazier Lake Road, stood the adobes of the Ortega and Gilroy families.
Ortega's seaman son-in-law was born in Scotland about 1794 as John Cameron,
arrived in Monterey in 1814, borrowed his mother's maiden name, and was later
baptized as "Juan Bautista Gilroy."He is considered the first English-speaking
resident of California.
With brothers-in-law Quintin Ortega and Julian Cantua, Gilroy made soap near
San Felipe Lake, which he traded along with onions and flour from his gristmill to
Thomas Larkin of Monterey. Settlers were drawn to Rancho San Ysidro because
of the hospitality of the Ortega and Gilroy families. Captain John C. Fremont and
his troops passed by here on their way south in November 1846. They
appropriated most of Gilroy's horses and mules to support the American
acquisition of California. San Ysidro grew into a small community with a school
(later located on this site), store, butcher and blacksmith shops, and a post
office.
John Gilroy lived here under the flags of Spain, Mexico, and the United States.
He served as an auxiliary alcalde and later as justice of the peace. When the
town was incorporated in 1868, citizens honored Gilroy by naming their town
after him. The growth of the community of San Ysidro shifted two miles west.
the following year with the completion of the railroad amd the demise of John
Gilroy. Today, descendents of John Gilroy continue his legacy by residing in "Old
Gilroy," also known as San Ysidro.
Dedicated October 23, 2004 by the The Gilroy Historical Society &
Anchorpoint Christian School
Erected by Mountain Charlie Chapter 1850 E Clampus Vitus &
Observatory Parlor 177 Native Sons of The Golden West."
FIRST - Classification Variable: Person or Group
Date of FIRST: Not listed
More Information - Web URL: Not listed
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